nks at one time, and 27.1% of females were heavy drinkers. Four percent of the females consumed alcohol before school, whereas 19% of the males reported consuming alcohol before school. Females have more of a tendency than males to abuse drugs with a rate of 35.9% as compared to the males 25.5% (Coenen, 1998).Running away from home is another coping mechanism of adolescents. According to Dempsey (1994), 48% pf gay teens in a non-clinical sample reported running away from home. Running away is a self-protective behavior in response to a disapproving or rejecting family or from fear of rejection. A study of gay males in 1987 found that sexual revelation causes stress in the parent-adolescent relationship (Dempsey, 1994). Over time, however, the relationship with parents tends to improve. Unsupportive families may make the achievement of a positive outcome much less certain (Beaty 1999).Young AdulthoodThe last two stages found in Beaty (1999) are identity assumption and Identity Commitment. Both of these are associated with young adulthood but actually occur primarily in the 20’s for both males and females. Identity assumption, occurring between the ages of 19 – 21 for males and 21 – 23 for females, is when the individuals define themselves as homosexual, develop homosexual friends, become involved in the homosexual community, and are involved in sexual experimentation. During this time, involvement in the gay community alleviates feelings of alienation. Many in this stage lead double lives, separating their social worlds into those who know who they are and those who do not know, hoping the two worlds never collide (Dempsey, 1994).Identity commitment usually begins in the early 20’s and is when the individual adopts homosexuality as a way of life. By this time, the individual has realized it is easier to be true to themselves and lead a homosexual life rather than continually try to pass themselves off a...
